Leaning in, he brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “You deserve to hear it. It’s you, Wren. It’s always been you.”
I glanced at my half-eaten food. This was getting serious, and we were treading in dangerous waters, likeconfessing feelingswaters. It was too soon for that. Picking up my fork, I said, “Well, this food is delicious, and we should eat while it’s hot.” What an idiotic thing to say after he’d been so vulnerable. But I didn’t want things to spiral again.
“You’re right.” With a quick grin, he dove into his food.
While gossipingabout the football team and cheering squad, we finished our dinner, and I helped him with the dishes. He’dmade an enormous amount of food. How much did these guys eat? I stuffed a leftovers container into the refrigerator.
Eli poured us fresh wine and handed mine to me. “Movie on the couch?” He wagged his brows at me as he drank his wine.
I knew what that meant. Make-out session on the couch. “Sure.” As I strolled toward the sectional, my phone buzzed on the dining table. “Shit, hold on.” I checked the screen, and my heart froze.Dadscrolled across the top. “I, uh, I should take this.” He hadn’t called me in years. Why now?
Peering into my phone, Eli lowered his brows. “I’m right here.” He rubbed my shoulder.
I answered the call and held the phone to my ear. I wasn’t sure of the details and whether Eli should hear them.
“Wren? Oh good, you answered.” Dad chuckled.
What the fuck? Why wouldn’t I? It wasn’t like he ever called and I didn’t answer. Heat flickered through my chest. “Yes, I answered.” I huffed. “What’s up?” I followed Eli to the couch with my wine and fell in beside him.
“I’m calling because I moved to Arizona. Scottsdale, actually.”
My gut squeezed, and my breath caught. “You what?” Did I hear him right? He had a paid-for house in the Bay Area. Why the hell?—
“I moved to Scottsdale. See, Karen’s family is from here and…” He gave a stuttered chuckle. “Well, she’s pregnant. You’re about to have a baby brother.”
I choked on my spit and coughed.
“Wren, are you okay?” With his forehead wrinkling, Eli patted my back.
“Son?” Dad asked.
Son?Now he wanted to act like a fucking father? Why, to look good for his new fucking family? I steadied myself. “Sorry, I swallowed wrong.” I glanced at Eli, hovering over me as if I would pass out. I just might.
“Okay, anyway, Karen and I would love to have you over fordinner. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, I agree.” And the last time I’d visited him, he’d barely been around. My eyes popped open. Holy fuck. Dinner? With him and his pregnant wife? Squeezing Eli’s thigh, I said, “I’d like to bring someone with me, if that’s okay.” I’d have to word this carefully.
“Who would that be?” Dad asked.
“My uh…” Looking into Eli’s eyes, I said, “My boyfriend, Eli Dawson. He’s a linebacker with ASU, and it’s about time you met him.”
Eli’s brows shot into his hairline while his jaw dropped.
I winced. Fuck, I had some explaining to do. But under no circumstances would I have this dinner alone with them.
“Sure, um…” Dad murmured something I couldn’t hear. “Karen says it’s fine.”
So, it was up to Karen? I scoffed softly and said, “When do you want us? We have an away game this weekend, so I’ll be gone.” I pursed my lips. “I’m on the cheering squad this year. I quit gymnastics.”
“You did?” He huffed. “Why would you do that?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you at dinner.” As a smirk slid across my mouth, I sipped more wine. As if I would ever seek advice from someone who barely knew me.
“Well, how about midweek next week? Does Wednesday evening work?” Dad asked.
“Hang on.” I should at least ask Eli before I responded. I set the phone on mute and focused on Eli. “Eli, would you please?—”
“Yes, whatever you need, Wren, count me in.” His gaze searched my face.
